What's it like to stay at the Mars Camp?

A thousand years ago, AlUla in Saudi Arabia connected the ancient "Incense Route" trade line between Asia and Europe, thriving as a vital hub along the Belt and Road. Today, AlUla blends modern civilization with ancient relics, offering both otherworldly landscapes and dreamy luxury experiences. Hidden here is the Banyan Tree Hotel & Resort. Arriving at AlUla at 10 PM, I was greeted by hotel staff holding a welcome sign at the airport. A cup of Arabic coffee handed to me in the car instantly eased my travel fatigue. The resort is a 40-minute drive from AlUla Airport, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the window—surrounded by bizarre rock formations and dotted with lights from the ancient city. Entering the hotel area, I looked up to a sky full of stars, feeling as if I’d landed on an alien planet. I stayed in a villa with a private pool, falling asleep to the soothing aroma of Banyan Tree’s signature fragrance. The next morning, I was treated to a photogenic floating breakfast—just the appetizer of this wild luxury experience. Taking the hotel shuttle for a tour, I finally understood why this is called the world’s coolest Banyan Tree. Forty-seven tented villas are scattered along a narrow valley, flanked by towering, weathered rock walls that bear witness to the passage of time. The hotel’s dominance over an entire canyon is awe-inspiring, with 47 sand-colored canvas tents nestled like pearls in the folds of the cliffs, as if naturally grown desert dwellings. The hotel offers a wealth of experiences: complimentary yoga, HIIT, and sound bowl sessions, as well as unique activities like horseback riding, camel trekking, and Jeep safaris. Each guest is provided with an electric scooter for easy access to Maraya Concert Hall and the canyon pool. By day, you can explore the Nabatean tombs; by evening, soak in the cliffside pool as the red rocks turn golden; and at night, lie under the stars listening to ancient Bedouin tales… In that moment, you’ll feel "life is worth it." The dining options are equally impressive: lunch at **Saffron Restaurant** serves authentic Thai cuisine, and with the growing number of Chinese guests, the restaurant now offers Chinese dishes. Another venue, **Harrat**, specializes in Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine, with ingredients sourced directly from the hotel’s sustainable farm. As another name is quietly checked off my "bucket-list hotels," what remains are memories that stay vivid, passionate, and burning bright—just like AlUla in May.